Some of the content on this website requires JavaScript to be enabled in your web browser to function as intended. While the website is still usable without JavaScript, it should be enabled to enjoy the full interactive experience.

Site Search

Section Navigation

Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Pennsylvania Workforce Development cites a career as a physical therapist assistant as a high-priority occupation. High-priority occupations are job categories that are in demand by employers, have higher skill needs, and provide family-sustaining wages. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry predicts the need for physical therapist assistants (PTA) and physical therapy aides to increase 41% through 2022.

This two-year program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in physical therapist assistant.

What is a PTA?

A physical therapist assistant works in partnership with physical therapists to provide rehabilitation services for individuals who are unable to function due to neuromuscular disease or neuromuscular injury, or who want to improve function via prevention.

Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants provide services to individuals to improve their level of functioning and improve quality of life.

Program Outcomes

For the classes of 2015-2016, 86.7% of students admitted to the Technical Phase of the PTA program at Cal U graduated from the program. Graduation rates for the class of 2015 was 88.8% and 84.5% for the class of 2016. Graduates are required to pass a licensing examination in order to practice as a Physical Therapist Assistant. The licensing examination (National Physical Therapy Examination or NPTE for PTAs) passing rates for the classes of 2015 and 2016 were 91.3% and 95.5% respectively for an average two-year passing rate of 93.3%. Employment rates for the classes of 2015 and 2016 were 90.5% and 95.2% respectively for a two-year average of 92.9%. Program concerns